A Steiner triple system of order v, denoted STS(v), is said to be tricyclic if it admits an automorphism whose disjoint cyclic decomposition consists of three cycles. In this thesis we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a tricyclic STS(v) when one of the cycles is of length one. In this case, the STS(v) will contain a subsystem which admits an automorphism consisting of a fixed point and a single cycle. The subsystem is said to be 1-rotational.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Duy H. Hua / Three research projects were carried out and they are described below. The synthesis of substituted phenolic compounds including halogenated di- and trihydroxybenzenes, aminophenols, and substituted di-tert-butylphenols are described. Redox potentials of the synthesized molecules along with various known laccase substrates were measured, and an inverse relationship between the oxidation potential and the efficiency of oxidation by laccase of halogenated hydroxybenzenes and aminophenols is demonstrated. The synthesized substituted phenols were found to be substrates but not inhibitors of laccase. We discovered a new class of di-tert-butylphenols compounds that inhibits the growth of mosquito larvae at low concentrations. Compound 17, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) phenol caused greater than 98% mortality of third-instar larvae of Anopheles gambiae in the concentration of 0.18 µM. These compounds do not inhibit laccases. It appears that they affect a new target of the mosquito that is different from those of currently existing pesticides. Two anti-Alzheimer molecules, CP2 and TP70, discovered in our laboratory were studied for their pharmacokinetics and distribution. The distribution of CP2 and TP70 in mouse brain region and various tissues of mice were examined. HPLC analysis revealed that CP2 treatment in primary neurons accumulates in mitochondria fraction. Similarly, the amount of CP2 in the brain tissue from wild type and APP/PS1 mice treated with 25 mg/kg/daily for 2 months also have the highest concentration in the mitochondria fractions in the hippocampus. The results show that CP2 and TP70 can penetrate the blood brain barrier and accumulate in the tissue in significant amounts. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of compound TP70 were determined. Area under the curve and bioavailability value F were calculated, and data show that TP70 has a good PK profile and bioavailability. For the preparation of a novel tripeptidyl norovirus 3C-like protease (3CL[superscript]pro) inhibitor, the P3 unnatural amino acid, (S)-3-hydroxyphenylalanine was synthesized. The P3 is designed to increase the polarity with the addition of the alcohol group. After combining the P3 unnatural amino acid with the P1 and P2 to form the novel tripeptidyl compound, a study comparing the relations between the structure and its activity (SAR) will confirm whether prediction is correct in our pursuit for an antiviral therapeutic drug in the form of a protease inhibitor.

Nos travaux ont débuté par la synthèse diastéréo/énantiosélective de 14 béta-hydroxyandrostanes en faisant appel à une réaction de Diels-Alder visant la formation du cycle B. Nous avons ainsi préparé une large palette de 14 béta-hydroxyandrostanes naturels, non naturels, racémiques ou énantiopurs. Par exemple au départ de la 2-méthyl-cyclopentane-1,3-dione divers 14 béta-hydroxyandrostanes polyfonctionnalisés possédant 5 à 7 centres stéréogéniques ont été synthétisés. D’autre part, avec la (R) ou (S)-carvone comme diénophile, nous avons mis en évidence diverses réactions de Diels-Alder sous contrôle d’une résolution cinétique parallèle chemodivergente ce qui a donné accès à des 14 béta-hydroxyandrostanes et à leurs énantiomères optiquement purs. Par la suite, nous avons développé la synthèse diastéréospécifique de 1,3-oxazines racémiques ou énantiomériquement pures en traitant des alpha-alkyloxyamides polyfonctionnalisés par des acides de Lewis ou de Brønsted. Au départ de ces mêmes composés, nous avons également synthétisé des pyrrolizidinones et des indolizidinones polyfonctionnalisées en faisant varier la nature des acides de Brønsted. Une synthèse formelle de la (+/-)-tashiromine a ainsi été réalisée. Finalement, la dernière partie de nos travaux a été consacrée à l’obtention des systèmes tricycliques caractéristiques de la famille des cédranoides et de la famille des quadranes/subérosanes. Ces deux systèmes tricycliques ont été obtenus au départ de la cyclopentane-1,3-dione en utilisant comme étape clé une réaction de Morita-Baylis-Hillman intramoléculaire initiée par de la tri-n-butylphosphine. / In the first part of our work, we have developed highly diastereo/enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions to promote the synthesis of 14 beta-hydroxyandrostanes. Thus, numerous non-natural or natural racemic and optically pure 14 beta-hydroxyandrostanes were obtained. For example, starting from the 2-methyl-cyclopentane-1,3-dione, the synthesis of 14 beta-hydroxyandrostane derivatives bearing 5 to 7 stereogenic centers was readily achieved. Moreover, by using (R) or (S)-carvone as dienophile, the Diels-Alder reaction proved to be under a chemodivergent parallel kinetic resolution control leading to optically pure (ent)-14 beta-hydroxyandrostanes. The second part of our work was dealing with the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds like pyrrolizidinones, indolizidinones and 1,3-oxazines. For that purpose, we have shown that the latter were readily available by Lewis or Brønsted acids treatment of polyfunctionalized alpha-alkyloxyamides. Furthermore, by changing the nature of the Brønsted acid, pyrrolizidinones and indolizidinones derivatives were obtained allowing a formal synthesis of (+/-)-tashiromine. Finally, the synthesis of the tricyclic cores found in cedranoids and quadranes/subersonanes sesquiterpenes was achieved, the key step being a tri-n-butylphosphine promoted intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction.

Les motifs imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines et imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazines sont des noyaux très étudiés par la communauté scientifique, notamment dans le domaine thérapeutique. Ceci s’explique en partie par les progrès récents réalisés dans le domaine de la métallocatalyse qui ont permis une fonctionnalisation plus simple de ces molécules. Cependant, les dérivés tricycliques de ces structures sont restés assez peu étudiés malgré le fait que certains de leurs isostères présentent des propriétés biologiques intéressantes. Les travaux de cette thèse ont porté sur deux projets distincts : -La synthèse d’imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazines présentant un troisième cycle diazoté entre les positions 7 et 8, dans le cadre d’un contrat conclu avec la société Sanofi-Aventis. Ces composés, totalement originaux, représentent un véritable défi chimique et leur synthèse a nécessité d’importants travaux de mise au point. Nous avons ainsi employé différentes méthodes de couplages métallocatalysés. -La synthèse d’imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines un troisième cycle pyridinique entre les positions 2 et 3. Ces molécules, peu décrites dans la littérature, n’ont fait l’objet d’aucune évaluation biologique. Dans le but de synthétiser efficacement une chimiothèque intéressante pour ces structures, j’ai développé une méthode d’hétérocyclisation qui nous permet d’obtenir en deux étapes, gràce à des produits de départ très accessible, une importante variété de tricycles. / The imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazines moeities are very studied by scientific community, specially in therapeutic field. This is mostly due to recent progress in metallocatalyzed couplings which allow easier functionnalization of these structures. However, the tricyclic derivatives of these compounds remained not very studied despite important biological properties of some of there isosters. This thesis is divided in two parts : -The synthesis of imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazines with a dinitrogenated third cycle between the positions 7 and 8 in collaboration with Sanofi-Aventis. These new compounds were a real chemical challenge and their synthesis required important works of development. We used various metallocatalyzed couplings methods. -The synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with a pyridinic cycle between the positions 2 and 3. These molecules, poorly described in the literature, have never been subject to biological study. In order to effectively synthesize an interesting range of these structures, I have developed a new heterocyclization method which allows us to obtain in two steps, starting from commercialy available starting materials, some original tricyclics compounds.

No / The surface energetic parameters of carbamazepine and paracetamol have been studied using inverse gas chromatography modified to produce dry and ambient conditions within the column. The values of the dispersive component of the surface free energy (¿DS) do not change significantly at the increased relative humidity. In contrast the specific component of the free energy of adsorption (-¿GSPA) as measured by polar probes, can either remain constant or decrease by up to 10%, depending on the material and the probe. This indicates that an increase in the relative humidity causes a decrease in the surface energetics of the powder surface. It is proposed that where the water molecules are adsorbing to the same sites as the polar probes, the interaction of these probes with the surface is decreased. To identify these sites, the preferential interaction of each probe, including water, with the drug molecule has been modelled.

A monitorização terapêutica permite a individualização do regime de dosagem, assegurando a eficácia clínica e minimizando os efeitos adversos dos fármacos, prescritos na clínica. Os antidepressivos têm sido monitorados, pois, apresentam intervalos terapêuticos bem estabelecidos, ou seja, a maioria dos pacientes, que apresentam concentrações plasmáticas dentro deste intervalo fixo, tem as desordens psiquiátricas mantidas sob controle e efeitos adversos aceitáveis. Os antidepressivos tricíclicos (ADTs): imipramina, amitriptilina, nortriptilina e desipramina, embora eficazes e ainda muito utilizados, apresentam efeitos adversos, não desejáveis. Os antidepressivos, inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina (ISRSs): citalopram e sertralina, apresentam eficácia clínica comparável aos clássicos ADTs, mas destituídos dos efeitos adversos associados aos mesmos. Os métodos convencionais, empregados no tratamento de amostras biológicas, para análises de antidepressivos por técnicas cromatográficas, têm sido a extração líquido-líquido e extração em fase sólida. A extração sortiva em barra de agitação (SBSE), técnica recente de preparo de amostras para a préconcentração de compostos orgânicos presentes em amostras biológicas, baseiase na extração estática, através do polímero polidimetilsiloxano (PDMS), no qual ocorre a dissolução (sorção, partição) do analito. Neste trabalho, as técnicas SBSE e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência foram avaliadas para a análise simultânea dos antidepressivos em amostras de plasma para fins de monitorização terapêutica. As condições cromatográficas de análise, assim como as variáveis SBSE de extração (tempo, temperatura, força iônica, pH da matriz) e tempo de dessorção, foram otimizadas, visando adequada sensibilidade analítica. A validação analítica foi realizada segundo normas da ANVISA, em diferentes concentrações plasmáticas, as quais contemplam o intervalo terapêutico. O método SBSE/HPLC padronizado apresentou linearidade na faixa de concentração plasmática de 20 a 1000 ng mL-1, precisão interensaio com coeficientes de variação menor que 14% e recuperação relativa de 83 a 110%. Segundo a validação analítica, a metodologia SBSE/HPLC apresentou linearidade, alta sensibilidade, seletividade e precisão analítica adequadas para a análise dos antidepressivos: imipramina, amitriptilina, nortriptilina, desipramina, citalopram e sertralina, em amostra de plasma, para fins de monitorização terapêutica. / Therapeutic drug monitoring allows individualization of drug dosage assuring its clinical efficacy and at the same time minimizing adverse effects of the drugs prescribed in clinics. The antidepressants have been monitored since they present a very well established therapeutic interval. In this sense, most of the patients whose plasmatic concentrations are ranged at that interval present psychiatric disorders under control and drug adverse effects at bearable levels. Despite tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline and desipramine are highly efficient and widely used, they also present undesirable adverse effects. The antidepressants: citalopram and sertraline, which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), present clinical efficacy comparable to the classic TACs, but with no adverse effects associated to the last ones. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid phase extraction (SPE) have been usually employed in biological sample pre-treatment for chromatographic analysis. A new technique named sorptive stir bar extraction (SBSE) for sample pre-concentration of organic compounds from biological samples was recently proposed. This technique is based on static extraction through the polymer polidimetilsiloxane (PDMS), in which analyte sorption occurs. In this work, SBSE and HPLC techniques have been evaluated for out antidepressants simultaneous analysis in plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring. The chromatographic conditions of analysis, as well as SBSE parameters (time, temperature, ionic strength, matrix pH, desorption time) have been optimized in order to obtain best analytical sensitivity. Analytical validation was carried out according to the norms established by ANVISA, in different plasmatic concentrations, which represent the therapeutic interval. The SBSE/HPLC method developed showed linearity in a concentration plasmatic ranging from 20 to 1000 ng mL-1, inter assay precision with coefficient of the variation lower than 14%, and relative recovery from 83 a 110%. Based on analytical validation, the SBSE/HPLC methodology showed good linearity, high sensitivity, selectivity and suitable repeatability to the analyzed antidepressants: imipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine, citalopram and sertraline in plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Depuis quelques années, l’élaboration de molécules spiraniques connait un essor considérable avec, en particulier, comme but essentiel l’accroissement de la diversité moléculaire considérée à ce jour comme insuffisamment développée. L’objectif de cette thèse de doctorat a été la synthèse de nouvelles entités tricycliques arylaliphatiques possédant un carbone spiranique et ce, en complément des travaux antérieurement effectués au laboratoire. Dans un premier temps, nous avons choisi de générer des molécules regroupant des structures de type indane-1,2’-(azétidine, pyrrolidine et pipéridine). La possibilité de fixer par exemple un groupe fonctionnel tel qu’un amide ou un bras espaceur voire de substituer le noyau aromatique nous a permis d’exploiter les différentes directions de l’espace. Dans un second temps, nous avons développé une réaction d’arylation intramoléculaire en position α de groupements électroattracteurs. Cette arylation catalysée par des métaux (dans notre cas le cuivre) permet d’accéder à des composés aux motifs spiroindane- ou spirotétraline-1,3’-(azétidine, pyrrolidine et pipéridine). Dans un troisième temps, nous avons étudié les réactions d’addition nucléophiles intramoléculaires de pyridines N-activées pour accéder à des structures spirocycliques pyridiniques fonctionnalisées. Des essais préliminaires utilisant de l’anhydride acétique comme agent activant nous ont permis de générer les intermédiaires recherchés. Afin d’accroître la diversité moléculaire et découvrir de nouveaux fragments susceptibles de nous mener à des agents thérapeutiques, nous nous sommes intéressé, dans un dernier temps, au domaine des biotechnologies blanches en exploitant le potentiel des micro-organismes et de leurs enzymes pour fonctionnaliser des liaisons C-H non activées présentes au sein de charpentes spirocycliques préalablement préparées. / In recent years, the elaboration of spirocyclic molecules has arisen, particularly with an essential purpose to increase of molecular diversity which is not sufficiently developed to date. The objective of this work was the synthesis of new arylaliphatic tricyclic entities with spiranic carbon and it in addition to previous work in the laboratory. Firstly, we have chosen to generate molecules having indane-1,2’-(azetidine, pyrrolidine and piperidine) moiety. The possibility of incorporating a functional group such as an amide, a spacer group or even a substituent on the aromatic ring has allowed us to exploit all space directions. Secondly, we have developed an intramolecular arylation in α position of the electroattractive groups. This metal catalyzed arylation, (in this case copper) provides access to compounds with spiroindane or spirotetraline-1,3’-(azetidine, pyrrolidine and piperidine) patterns. Thirdly, we have studied the intramolecular nucleophilic addition of N-activated pyridine to accede to spirocyclic functionalized pyridine structures. Preliminary tests using acetic anhydride as the activating agent allowed us to generate some desired intermediates. Last but not least, in an effort to increase the molecular diversity and the discovery of new fragments that could lead us to therapeutic agents, we were interested in the field of white biotechnology by harnessing the potential of microorganisms and their enzymes to functionalize in activated C-H bonds in previously prepared spirocyclic scaffolds.

A monitorização terapêutica permite a individualização do regime de dosagem, assegurando a eficácia clínica e minimizando os efeitos adversos dos fármacos, prescritos na clínica. Os antidepressivos têm sido monitorados, pois, apresentam intervalos terapêuticos bem estabelecidos, ou seja, a maioria dos pacientes, que apresentam concentrações plasmáticas dentro deste intervalo fixo, tem as desordens psiquiátricas mantidas sob controle e efeitos adversos aceitáveis. Os antidepressivos tricíclicos (ADTs): imipramina, amitriptilina, nortriptilina e desipramina, embora eficazes e ainda muito utilizados, apresentam efeitos adversos, não desejáveis. Os antidepressivos, inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina (ISRSs): citalopram e sertralina, apresentam eficácia clínica comparável aos clássicos ADTs, mas destituídos dos efeitos adversos associados aos mesmos. Os métodos convencionais, empregados no tratamento de amostras biológicas, para análises de antidepressivos por técnicas cromatográficas, têm sido a extração líquido-líquido e extração em fase sólida. A extração sortiva em barra de agitação (SBSE), técnica recente de preparo de amostras para a préconcentração de compostos orgânicos presentes em amostras biológicas, baseiase na extração estática, através do polímero polidimetilsiloxano (PDMS), no qual ocorre a dissolução (sorção, partição) do analito. Neste trabalho, as técnicas SBSE e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência foram avaliadas para a análise simultânea dos antidepressivos em amostras de plasma para fins de monitorização terapêutica. As condições cromatográficas de análise, assim como as variáveis SBSE de extração (tempo, temperatura, força iônica, pH da matriz) e tempo de dessorção, foram otimizadas, visando adequada sensibilidade analítica. A validação analítica foi realizada segundo normas da ANVISA, em diferentes concentrações plasmáticas, as quais contemplam o intervalo terapêutico. O método SBSE/HPLC padronizado apresentou linearidade na faixa de concentração plasmática de 20 a 1000 ng mL-1, precisão interensaio com coeficientes de variação menor que 14% e recuperação relativa de 83 a 110%. Segundo a validação analítica, a metodologia SBSE/HPLC apresentou linearidade, alta sensibilidade, seletividade e precisão analítica adequadas para a análise dos antidepressivos: imipramina, amitriptilina, nortriptilina, desipramina, citalopram e sertralina, em amostra de plasma, para fins de monitorização terapêutica. / Therapeutic drug monitoring allows individualization of drug dosage assuring its clinical efficacy and at the same time minimizing adverse effects of the drugs prescribed in clinics. The antidepressants have been monitored since they present a very well established therapeutic interval. In this sense, most of the patients whose plasmatic concentrations are ranged at that interval present psychiatric disorders under control and drug adverse effects at bearable levels. Despite tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as imipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline and desipramine are highly efficient and widely used, they also present undesirable adverse effects. The antidepressants: citalopram and sertraline, which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), present clinical efficacy comparable to the classic TACs, but with no adverse effects associated to the last ones. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid phase extraction (SPE) have been usually employed in biological sample pre-treatment for chromatographic analysis. A new technique named sorptive stir bar extraction (SBSE) for sample pre-concentration of organic compounds from biological samples was recently proposed. This technique is based on static extraction through the polymer polidimetilsiloxane (PDMS), in which analyte sorption occurs. In this work, SBSE and HPLC techniques have been evaluated for out antidepressants simultaneous analysis in plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring. The chromatographic conditions of analysis, as well as SBSE parameters (time, temperature, ionic strength, matrix pH, desorption time) have been optimized in order to obtain best analytical sensitivity. Analytical validation was carried out according to the norms established by ANVISA, in different plasmatic concentrations, which represent the therapeutic interval. The SBSE/HPLC method developed showed linearity in a concentration plasmatic ranging from 20 to 1000 ng mL-1, inter assay precision with coefficient of the variation lower than 14%, and relative recovery from 83 a 110%. Based on analytical validation, the SBSE/HPLC methodology showed good linearity, high sensitivity, selectivity and suitable repeatability to the analyzed antidepressants: imipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine, citalopram and sertraline in plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Les transporteurs membranaires sont des éléments importants dans le devenir, l’efficacité, et la toxicité du médicament. Ils influencent la pharmacocinétique et la pharmacodynamie de ces derniers. Plusieurs interactions médicamenteuses observées cliniquement sont attribuables à la fois aux enzymes responsables du métabolisme des médicaments et aux transporteurs membranaires. Il est connu qu’une variabilité existe entre différents individus dans la réponse à un médicament et les polymorphismes génétiques retrouvés dans les gènes codant pour les transporteurs membranaires peuvent partiellement expliquer cette variabilité. OATP1A2 est un transporteur membranaire exprimé sur des organes importants, comme le cerveau et le rein. Plusieurs médicaments utilisés en clinique sont des substrats d’OATP1A2 et l’expression localisée de ce transporteur suggère un rôle important dans le devenir du médicament. Donc, mon projet de doctorat consistait à caractériser l’activité d’OATP1A2 en relation avec ses substrats et inhibiteurs, et de plus, à évaluer l’impact de différents variants génétiques d’OATP1A2 sur leur transport. Dans le premier article, la rosuvastatine a été utilisée comme substrat-type pour étudier le transport d’OATP1A2. Les expériences ont été menées en introduisant la rosuvastatine en compétition avec différent β-bloqueurs, une classe de médicaments rapportée dans la littérature comme substrats d’OATP1A2. Parmi les β-bloqueurs évalués, le carvédilol était l’inhibiteur le plus puissant. Dans la deuxième partie de l’étude, des médicaments ayant une structure similaire au carvédilol, tels que les antidépresseurs tricycliques, ont été évalués quant à leur potentiel d’inhibition sur OATP1A2. Une relation structure-activité a été définie à l’aide de ces données. Nous avons démontré que des composés tricycliques avec une courte chaîne aliphatique pouvaient inhiber OATP1A2. Dans le deuxième article, OATP1A2 a été étudié en considérant son expression et son rôle au sein de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE). Des études précédentes ont démontré qu’OATP1A2 est exprimé sur la membrane luminale des cellules endothéliales formant la BHE. Nos données démontrent que les triptans, une classe de médicaments couramment utilisées pour traiter la crise migraineuse, sont des substrats d’OATP1A2 et que les composés tricycliques identifiés comme inhibiteurs d’OATP1A2 dans nos études précédentes peuvent inhiber le transport des triptans par OATP1A2. Ces résultats sont importants puisque: 1) il a été suggéré que les triptans peuvent agir au niveau du système nerveux central en se liant aux récepteurs trouvés sur les neurones centraux; 2) comme les triptans sont des molécules hydrophiles, un mécanisme de transport facilité est nécessaire pour qu’ils pénètrent la BHE et OATP1A2 pourrait être l’élément clé; 3) l’inhibition d’OATP1A2 par les composés tricycliques pourrait limiter l’accès des triptans à leur site d’action. Le troisième article caractérise l’activité associée à deux variants génétiques d’OATP1A2 (OATP1A2*2 et *3). Leur capacité à transporter les triptans et leur potentiel d’inhibition par les médicaments tricycliques ont été évalués. Des résultats supplémentaires caractérisant OATP1A2, mais sans liens directs avec les trois articles, seront présentés en annexe. Dans l’ensemble, les résultats présentés dans cette thèse servent à caractériser le transporteur membranaire OATP1A2 en relation avec ses substrats et inhibiteurs, et en fonction de ses variants génétiques. / Drug transporters are important determinants in drug disposition, efficacy, and toxicity. They influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. Several clinically-observed drug-drug interactions are mediated through drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters. It is well known that there is an interindividual variability in the response to medications and polymorphisms found in genes encoding for drug transporters partially account for it. OATP1A2 is a membrane drug transporter expressed on important organs, such as the brain and the kidney. A wide spectrum of drugs used in the clinic are substrates of OATP1A2. Its localisation suggests an essential role in drug disposition. Thus, my PhD project consisted of characterizing the activity of OATP1A2 in regards to its substrates, inhibitors, and different protein variants due to genetic polymorphisms. In the first article, rosuvastatin was used as the probe substrate to study OATP1A2 transport activity. Experiments were conducted by putting rosuvastatin in competition with different β-blockers, a class of drugs known in the literature to be transported by OATP1A2. One of the drugs evaluated, carvedilol, inhibited OATP1A2 with much more potency than the others. In the second part of the study, drugs with a structure similar to carvedilol, such as tricyclic antidepressants, were tested for their potential to inhibit OATP1A2. A structure-activity relationship was defined using the data. It was demonstrated that drugs composed of a tricyclic ring with a short aliphatic amine chain were potent OATP1A2 inhibitors. In the second article presented, OATP1A2 was studied in the context of its localization at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). OATP1A2 expression at the luminal membrane of the endothelial cells making up the BBB was demonstrated in the literature. Our article showed that triptans, a class of commonly used anti-migraine drugs, were OATP1A2 substrates. The tricyclic drugs previously evaluated were shown to potently inhibit triptan transport through OATP1A2. These findings are important for three reasons: 1) it has been postulated that triptans may act at the central nervous system by binding to receptors found on central neurons; 2) as triptans are hydrophilic molecules, a facilitated transport mechanism is required for them to penetrate the BBB and OATP1A2 may be the key player; and 3) the inhibition of OATP1A2 by the tricyclic drugs may limit the entrance of triptans to their site of action. The third article characterized the transport activity of two OATP1A2 protein variants (OATP1A2*2 and *3). Their capacities to transport triptans and their potential of being inhibited by tricyclic drugs were evaluated. Additional data characterizing OATP1A2 but considered out of the scope of the three articles will be presented in appendices. In overall, the central theme of this thesis looks into the characterization of the OATP1A2 membrane drug transporter in regards to its substrates, inhibitors, and proteins variants.

No description available.